That's a really weird statement. Djoko was the more aggressive player of the 2 overall and he had more winners. There's actually a number of points even early in the match when I felt Murray didn't take his chances. Novak was too passive too at the end of the 1st and start of the 2nd.

Murray was playing aggressive for the first two sets, took Djokovic in two back to back tie breaks. Stepped off the pedal in the third set, and then he dropped back to his usual pushing tactics.

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I wouldn't say he was aggressive in the first two sets. Novak was all over the place in those sets, so when he wasn't attacking and making errors, he was dropping balls short. Those short balls were invitations to Murray to come forward and attack and Andy did so fairly well. Once Novak found his range and limited the number of short balls during rallies, Andy didn't have many chances to go on the offensive and he resorted to playing defensively.

Murray hurt his foot and couldn't play his game any more. I know tennis players deal with damaged feet all the time, but it was a bad one. My g/f didn't know he'd had the MTO and when she came in to watch she asked why Murray wasn't moving so well.

LOL you think Murray physically has a chance to last longer than Novak after what we've seen from him in 2012 and this year against Stan?

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The only time he did it (in a best of 5) was at USO 2012 but to me, this has an asterisk to it because Djoko had had to play 3 days in a row. So I'm waiting for another match in more normal conditions for Murray to prove that he can outlast Novak in a 5 setter.

Nah I don't agree with this thread! I believe Djokovic would have won regardless and the gap between the two is actually wider than I would have wanted to believe. My biggest, most incredibly annoying frustration with Murray is the amount of times he hit unbelievable shots to the very corners of the court and WILL NOT FOLLOW IT IN. FOLLOW THE BALL IN!

I completely understand that Djokovic has the most amazing passing shot in the game but I am talking about the shots where Djokovic is at his absolute limit to put a racket on them and get a weak slice back into play. Those are the shots when Murray needs to be at the net and gratefully accept the easy putaway volley. I think he is failing himself masively here and is something he needs to make a conscious effort to improve. Be a bit bolder. Take the easy volley, don't engage in another drawn out needless baseline rally instead when you have already earned the point. Novak will wear you down from the baseline.

Nah I don't agree with this thread! I believe Djokovic would have won regardless and the gap between the two is actually wider than I would have wanted to believe. My biggest, most incredibly annoying frustration with Murray is the amount of times he hit unbelievable shots to the very corners of the court and WILL NOT FOLLOW IT IN. FOLLOW THE BALL IN!

I completely understand that Djokovic has the most amazing passing shot in the game but I am talking about the shots where Djokovic is at his absolute limit to put a racket on them and get a weak slice back into play. Those are the shots when Murray needs to be at the net and gratefully accept the easy putaway volley. I think he is failing himself masively here and is something he needs to make a conscious effort to improve. Be a bit bolder. Take the easy volley, don't engage in another drawn out needless baseline rally instead when you have already earned the point. Novak will wear you down from the baseline.

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+1. The proof?

There were a number of times when Murray had to restart a point. If you hit an amazing shot and your opponent throws up a hail Mary and you waiting at the baseline to bounce that ball and play a routine groundstroke, you probably just missed a chance to come in.

The only time he did it (in a best of 5) was at USO 2012 but to me, this has an asterisk to it because Djoko had had to play 3 days in a row. So I'm waiting for another match in more normal conditions for Murray to prove that he can outlast Novak in a 5 setter.

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Plus the fact that the wind actually help Murray, the 1st set quality was greatly hindered because of it. The Shanghai final is also evidence, Murray had cramps IIRC at the end of the 3rd.

There were a number of times when Murray had to restart a point. If you hit an amazing shot and your opponent throws up a hail Mary and you waiting at the baseline to bounce that ball and play a routine groundstroke, you probably just missed a chance to come in.

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Exactly! Wawrinka came into the net 56 times against Djokovic. Murray came in 15! Who gave Nole more problems!?

Nah I don't agree with this thread! I believe Djokovic would have won regardless and the gap between the two is actually wider than I would have wanted to believe. My biggest, most incredibly annoying frustration with Murray is the amount of times he hit unbelievable shots to the very corners of the court and WILL NOT FOLLOW IT IN. FOLLOW THE BALL IN!

I completely understand that Djokovic has the most amazing passing shot in the game but I am talking about the shots where Djokovic is at his absolute limit to put a racket on them and get a weak slice back into play. Those are the shots when Murray needs to be at the net and gratefully accept the easy putaway volley. I think he is failing himself masively here and is something he needs to make a conscious effort to improve. Be a bit bolder. Take the easy volley, don't engage in another drawn out needless baseline rally instead when you have already earned the point. Novak will wear you down from the baseline.

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+2

I was hoping having Lendl in the side Andy would get he tactics right. This match could have been closer. He'll have to settle for being the best of the rest (until the next time).